General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Kunstler--Scale Implosion: After Ruining America, the Era of Giant Chain Stores Is Over [View all]AndyA
(16,993 posts)I miss those. Walmart has put so many small family-owned businesses out of business over the years, it would be wonderful if some of them would start making a comeback.
The biggest problem today is that most are just flat out of money. Minimum wage hasn't kept up with inflation, grocery prices have gone through the roof, gas is going up again, and the only ones making any money are the ones who don't need it. They are also the ones who already have everything, so they don't spend it and as a result the economy stagnates.
Middle America and the people who are really hurting are the solution. Increase minimum wage, and a lot of people will have money to spend for the first time in years. They will spend it, because they've put off making purchases of items for a long time. Increased demand spreads through the economy, and makes it grow.
We need to get the millionaires out of Congress, get the secret corporate money out of our elections, and have publicly funded campaigns so the average person can run for office and be competitive. The best people for the jobs in Congress aren't in those jobs, because they don't have the money to run a campaign.
As long as the wealthy rule Congress, things will not improve.